They’d stopped at the apartment door. Noah tilted her chin upward as he looked deep into her eyes. “Don’t be. I’m glad you told me. You used to tell me all your deepest secrets.”
She touched his lips with her fingertips. “That’s because you always understood. I wish we’d been friends then. I was so scared and alone.”
“You deserve so much better.”
“I’m not so sure.” She touched her leg. “My injury wasn’t entirely an accident. I’d been pushing myself beyond my limits since I lost the baby. I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want to tell my parents. Then Dad died suddenly, and I couldn’t tell Mom, so I buried myself in my career. It’s all I had. Sometimes I think that’s all I am. A dancer.”
“You’re wrong. You’re more than a dancer. Yes, you devoted yourself to your art, but when you came out of that studio you were always doing things for others. Remember we served meals at the community Christmas dinner? You helped with a habitat house and collected toys for the kids at Christmas. And now you’re teaching the people at the senior center, working with the theater and teaching Chloe and her friends. You have more to offer than a brief time in the spotlight.”
His support touched her deeply, and gave her hope for their relationship. “Do you think so? Because you were right. Something has changed, and I want to tell you about it. Can you stay for a while? I’ll fix coffee.”
“Make a big pot. We have a lot of things to discuss.”
Up in her apartment, Beth poured a cup of coffee, mentally rehearsing what she would say to Noah. As she set his mug before him, the doorbell chimed. Who could possibly be stopping by at this hour?
“Are you expecting someone?”
“No. It’s too late for Mom to come by, and the boys never come here unless invited.” Moving to the security screen that allowed a view of the door below, she frowned when she saw a man standing there. He turned his head. She inhaled a quick breath. What was he doing here?
She glanced at Noah. “It’s a friend from New York.” She buzzed the man in and waited at the top of the stairs as he walked up, conscious of Noah standing protectively at her side.
“Who is this guy?”
The man obviously overheard because he reached the top of the steps, pulled Beth into a bear hug and announced, “This guy is the man who’s going to change her life.”
Beth saw the muscles in Noah’s jaw flex rapidly and his lips press into a hard line. She shoved her guest away, putting distance between them. “Kurt, what are you doing here?”
“I was passing through and wanted to say hello.” He stepped close again and draped an arm across her shoulders. She moved out of his reach. The man had always been far too touchy-feely for her liking. “No one just passes through Dover. It’s not on the way to anywhere.”
“You telling me? It’s barely on the map. Seriously, I’m on my way to New Orleans and I wanted to see you in person.”
“How did you find me?”
“Seems everyone in this town knows who you are.”
Beth became aware of Noah standing close, as if to protect her from an unknown threat. “Noah, this is Kurt Townsend from the Forsythe Ballet Company. Kurt, Noah Carlisle. An old friend.”
The men nodded. Neither one offered a hand to shake. Beth gritted her teeth. Of all the times for Kurt to show up. “You could have called, given me some warning.”
Kurt struck an arrogant pose and winked. “What? Are you too busy in this burg to have time for a colleague and very close friend?”
She blushed at the suggestive smirk that appeared on Kurt’s face. He was deliberately taunting Noah. “I am busy, as a matter of fact.”
“I only need a few minutes, then I’ll be on my way.” He faced Noah. “But I need to talk to you alone.”
Noah shifted slightly toward her. “Do you want me to stay?”
She rested one hand in the center of his chest, surprised at how hard his heart was beating. He was genuinely worried about her. The thought softened her anxiety and gave her great comfort. “I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Noah gave Kurt a hard stare, then placed a light kiss on her lips as if staking his claim before guiding her to the door. “I’ll call you later.”
She nodded, waiting until she saw him go down the steps and outside before closing the apartment door and touching her fingers to her mouth. He’d kissed her. Why? Had it been a warning to Kurt or merely a way to reassure her that he’d be there if she needed him. Her heart tightened. She wanted to believe he’d kissed her because he cared, but she had to be careful and not read too much into it. That would be foolish.
Right now she had to deal with Kurt.
Beth stepped into the kitchen to see Kurt drinking from Noah’s coffee mug. Irked to the limit, she took the mug away, dumped out the liquid and faced him.
“Who was that guy? A local farmer?”
His snobbish attitude rankled. “He happens to be a structural engineer.”
“Really?” He glanced around her rooms. “So how can you stand to live here? I mean, this apartment is huge, but this town is off the grid. Nice tree.”
He pointed to the pencil-thin Christmas tree she’d put up. She really didn’t care what he thought. “I’m actually very happy here. I like being home again.”
“Well, you won’t be happy here for long. I guess you heard about the shake-up in the company? Noreen taking charge and all that. So I’m out, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m starting my own dance troupe. I’ve been offered the artistic director’s job with Dance Unique. They have new backers who plan on turning it into a first-class company, and they’ve given me carte blanche to hire the personnel. I want you to come on board as the choreographer. Your name alone will shoot us to the top.”
The offer was too good to be true. “Kurt, I appreciate you thinking of me, but I’m not nearly ready to go back to dancing full-time, and classical ballet is probably over for good.”
“I know that, but hear me out. I think you’ll be excited. There’s only one hitch. I need an answer by Christmas.”
Beth listened as Kurt outlined the details of his plan but made no promises. She breathed a sigh of relief when he finally left.
Curled up on her sofa, she thought through his offer, excitement building as she thought about the possibilities. She could reclaim her dream and the life she’d worked so hard for. The timing was perfect. By the time the new company was ready to perform, she’d be fully recovered. They would be focusing on other forms of dance and reaching out to young people. The idea was intriguing.
The money and the job security were enticing, too. An opportunity to create new ballets and new choreography was something she loved. She should have refused him immediately, but she told him she’d think it over. A month ago she would have jumped at the chance to leave Dover and go back to work in the dance world. Now she was hesitant. All because of Noah. Yet until she knew how Noah felt, she’d be smart to keep her options open, wouldn’t she?
Beth grabbed a pillow and hugged it close. But hadn’t she just decided to put her life in balance? Could she do that if she went back to New York? She’d started reading her Bible again and had even signed up for a women’s bible study in the New Year.
She wanted to scream in confusion. Kurt’s offer appealed to her ego. Why did God do this? She’d finally accepted that her dancing was over, she’d let it go and was turning her energies toward new dreams, then He dumps this big opportunity in her lap as if reminding her what her true dream was. What was she supposed to do? Was God saying don’t let go? Was she walking away too soon? She’d been at peace with her decision, but now she was questioning that choice.
If only the Lord would give answers to her prayers in a loud voice, or write it across the sky. How were you supposed to know what God’s will for your life was?
&nb
sp; What she wanted was to talk it over with Noah, but she knew what he’d say. At the very least, she wanted to hear his voice. She’d told him she’d call. He was probably worried. Had he been protective because he was a gentleman and Kurt had posed a threat, or because he cared? He had kissed her before he left.
Her heart lodged in her throat as she waited for him to answer. She smiled when she heard his smooth voice. “Hi. It’s me.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. Kurt is obnoxious but harmless. I’m sorry he ruined our talk.”
“Yeah. Well, I’m glad you’re all right.”
His casual response triggered concern. She’d expected him to bombard her with questions. Something in Noah’s tone was off. “Are you all right? Is something wrong?”
A heavy sigh was her answer. “Yvonne called. She’s coming in tomorrow to spend time with Chloe. She wants to see her in the Christmas Dreams show.”
“Oh.” No wonder he was distracted.
“I need to go. Can we talk tomorrow?”
“Yes, of course.” She hung up, her mood sinking. She’d been hoping for a word of comfort from Noah, but now she longed to comfort him. She knew how worried he was for Chloe. With her mother showing up, so did the potential for another heartbreak for the little girl. That was far more important than her own silly problems.
Tonight her prayers would all be for Chloe, and that this time, Yvonne would stay true to her word.
* * *
Noah poured his fourth cup of coffee and spooned in sugar and a splash of creamer before returning to his desk. He didn’t like working in the front office. The expanse of windows made him visible to everyone who passed by, which would be great if he was a merchant trying to sell goods. Not so much when he was promoting an engineering business. But right now, he needed to be visible, and an empty room said closed not open. Working out front had snagged his first private client, albeit a very difficult and frustrating one. Still, he’d be glad when he could land some commercial jobs, hire a receptionist and move his desk to the back room.
But that wasn’t what had him sucking down caffeine like a student on an all-nighter.
He couldn’t shake the image of Beth wrapped in the arms of the irritating Kurt. The man’s possessive attitude still made his blood boil. He’d held Beth in his arms as if he had a right, and the smirk on his face begged to be wiped off with a fist. He’d only left because Beth had assured him she would be fine, but he’d been tormented by the man’s remark about changing Beth’s life. Had he come to lure her back to the dance? This made him wonder if there was more to their relationship. He knew what was eating at him. Jealousy. He had no right to feel that way, but there it was.
Unfortunately, by the time she’d called him to say she was okay, he’d barely listened. He’d been too distracted by the news of Yvonne’s visit. Chloe had texted her mom the moment she’d learned of her starring role in the Christmas show, and her mother had responded in her usual way, promising their child that she would come to the performance, film it for her TV show, then take her to New Orleans for a long fun weekend.
He’d tried to prepare Chloe to be disappointed, but she wouldn’t listen. She went up to her room and started to pack, leaving him dreading the huge letdown sure to come. Yvonne was due in town today. She planned to stay through the Christmas show tomorrow night, then she and Chloe were going down to New Orleans for a few days of shopping and to take in the Christmas events.
Please, Lord, don’t let Yvonne let my little girl down again.
His ringtone drew his hand to his cell phone in his pocket. Gram. “Is she here?” He’d wanted to wait at the house, but he had a heavy load of inspections today and another go-round with Kramer at the old house.
“Yes. She picked Chloe up a few minutes ago. They’re going up to Jackson to shop then have dinner at the Lady Banks Inn. Chloe is super excited.”
“And Yvonne?” There was a long pause before his gram answered, putting a knot in his chest.
“Her usual busy self.”
Noah rubbed his forehead. Translation—Yvonne was preoccupied with her cell phone and probably wouldn’t spend much time actually talking to her daughter. “Did she seem happy to see Chloe?”
“She made a grand show on her arrival.”
“I’m sure she did.”
Gram tried to reassure him that everything would be fine before she hung up. He wanted to believe her, but he sent a few more pleas heavenward just in case. Leaning back in his chair, he rubbed his bottom lip, trying to quell the churning in his gut. He pulled the key ring from his pocket and studied it. He’d wanted to talk to Beth last night about the words she’d put on the back. But Kurt had interrupted them, and now Yvonne was intruding, as well.
Light tapping on his door pulled his attention away. Beth pushed it open, her hazel eyes narrowed in concern.
“Are you okay?”
Quickly he shoved the key ring into his pocket. Now was not the time to discuss it. “Yeah. As good as I can be, I guess.”
“Did she come?”
“Yes. They’re going up to one of the malls in Jackson to shop.”
Beth moved closer, biting her bottom lip. “I hate to ask this, but will Chloe be safe with her?”
Her concern for his child touched him deeply. He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. “Yes. Yvonne would never do anything to hurt her child. In her own way, she loves Chloe.” His words did little to ease the troubled frown on Beth’s face. “Don’t worry. She won’t try to kidnap her. That would interfere with her glamorous life. She’s not going to go off and forget about her, and if something does come up, she’ll bring her home. It’s not Chloe’s physical well-being I’m worried about. It’s her mental state.”
“She wants her mom to love her.”
“I don’t know how many more times she can be shoved aside and rejected.”
“She’s a hopeful little girl. She believes in the goodness of others. But I worry, too. Then I remember that she has you, and I know she’ll be all right. I think her security in your love allows her to maintain her hope that her mom will change.”
“Thank you. I needed to hear that. I feel pretty inadequate at times. I don’t know much about little girls. I’d be totally lost without Gram.”
“Noah, I adore Chloe. If there’s ever anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask. I was a girl once, you know.”
He remembered. Vividly. “So you were.” Their gazes meshed, setting off tiny sparks along his skin. The image of Kurt holding Beth flashed across his mind, forcing him to retreat. “So, what did your friend have for you that will change your life?”
She looked down, hooking a strand of hair behind her ear. A sure sign she was reluctant to share.
“He had a job offer.”
Noah’s heart chilled, releasing all the old fears and hurts. “I see. So when do you leave?”
“I haven’t given him an answer yet. He needs to know by Christmas.”
He wanted to fight to convince her to stay, but like Chloe, he’d come to realize he couldn’t make others behave the way he wanted. “You do what you think best. I want you to be happy.” He shuffled the papers on his desk, surprised to find he really meant what he said. “I need to get to work.”
Her eyes were wide and slightly moist as she nodded and turned to leave. “I have to get back. The phone is ringing. Will you let me know how Chloe is if you hear from her?”
“Sure, but I don’t expect to. She’ll be too busy to think of her old dad.”
“Shopping will do that to you. Pushes everything else out of your mind.”
“If you say so.”
As soon as Beth left, Noah gathered up his work orders for the day, slipped them into his leather folder then went out the back door to his car. He’d told Beth the truth whe
n he said Yvonne would take good care of Chloe, but he never could completely let go of his concern. Work was a good diversion, provided he could concentrate long enough to get the job done. He hated having to share his child. Even with her mother.
But for some reason, he didn’t mind sharing her with Beth.
Chapter Ten
Beth took her time walking back to her apartment Friday night, enjoying the glow of the lights. She’d met Jen at the Magnolia Café for a meal and a little girl time. They’d ironed out a few details for the show the next day and spent the rest of the time catching up. There was never time to talk at rehearsals, and they were both eager to restore their friendship. The longer Beth remained in Dover, the more settled and secure she felt. But she couldn’t totally dismiss the opportunity Kurt had offered. She’d prayed about it, but still had no clear answer.
If things between her and Noah were different, her choice would be so much easier. But at the moment, she had no idea where their relationship stood. She knew he cared for her, but to what extent? One minute he was placing kisses on her lips, the next he was pulling away.
Kurt’s offer was to blame for part of that. She had to make that decision before she could move forward, but her emotions were tilting up and down between the choices like a child’s seesaw. Her desire to dance was still strong, but so was her growing contentment here in Dover.
Pulling her keys from her purse, she stepped into the recessed entry of her building. Movement in the shadows stole her breath. She froze, her heart pounding.
“Miss Beth.”
As her eyes adjusted to the low light, she saw Chloe seated on the floor, her back to the apartment door, her knees drawn up to her chest. Fear for her own safety shifted to fear for the little girl. “Chloe, sweetie, what are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you.”
Beth opened her arms, and the little girl scrambled to her feet and into her embrace. “Chloe, what happened?”
Her little hands were chilly despite the thick jacket she wore, and Beth held her closer as she began to cry. She noticed the small rolling suitcase beside her.
A Mom for Christmas Page 14
